Best color substitute for TriX?

[loneranger]

I love the look of TriX but it is now so difficult and expensive to find labs to process B/W film, so I am wondering what would be the closest 400 color film substitute for TriX? I am thinking to have the color film processed at a local lab (still easy to find) and then scan / convert to B/W....

 

[Prest_400]

There's Ilford XP2 which is a chromogenic B&W film that can be processed in C41 .


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[loneranger]

There's Ilford XP2 which is a chromogenic B&W film that can be processed in C41 .


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Yes I've tried that and it just does not have the look of TriX.

 

[Swift1]

XP2 is exceptional film, but it doesn't really look like TRI-X.
Kodak BW400CN looks a bit more like TRI-X to me, but is getting more difficult to find.
Fuji Superia 400 might work well. Maybe underexposed 1/2 stop...
Lomo 400 might work too.

 

[DominikDUK]

No Color film will even remotely look like Tri-X XP2 is at least a B/W film.

 

[SaveKodak]

A digital camera with a vsco preset will come closer than trying to get a C41 film to look like Tri-X.

Personally I would advise that you adapt to XP2 if you want to shoot C41 B&W. It's a great film, and it's look varies a lot with it's rated speed.

 

[bhop73]

I don't really see how any color film can look like Tri-X ... do you just mean the way the grain looks? The contrast?

Personally, i'd just buy some b/w chemicals and develop yourself. It's not hard at all and ends up being super cheap once you get everything you need. You mention you're scanning yourself already.

 

[BillBingham2]

Look for a new lab, find a community adult ed program or school or camera club and soup your own.

Fingers crossed Tri-X doesn't go the way of Kodachrome 64.

B2 (;->

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Fingers crossed Tri-X doesn't go the way of Kodachrome 64.

B2 (;->

How can it? We can all soup it ourselves at home. Are you talking about Production?

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I love the look of TriX but it is now so difficult and expensive to find labs to process B/W film, so I am wondering what would be the closest 400 color film substitute for TriX? I am thinking to have the color film processed at a local lab (still easy to find) and then scan / convert to B/W....

People used to say Fuji Superia 400 was the color version of Tri-X, but i don't think they were referring to the way it converted to B&W.

My suggestions:

• There are Photoshop Channel Adjustments settings you can find online that aim to match various black and white films. Try that. They're free.

• Alien Skin Exposure has Tri-X presets that probably work in much the same way as channel adjustments. They also include Film Grain emulations, as the usual purpose of Exposure is to work on digital images, but i use it with film, as well. You can turn off the film grain, and keep only the tonal emulations.

 

[Fuchs]

I have had some pretty good results converting Fujicolor Press 800 to BW. It's a very versatile and flexible film, but it's no TriX, at least without the addition of some postprocessing filters, as suggested

 

[GarageBoy]

It's 4.95 a roll and you can develop it at home for cheap... Even superia is $4 a roll and your have to c41 that...

 

[BillBingham2]

How can it? We can all soup it ourselves at home. Are you talking about Production?

Yup. All it takes as some numb-knutz in finance (read newly minted MBA from UofR) decides that they are not making enough money to keep the production line open.

Tri-X is an amazing emulsion, often copied, never duplicated.

B2 (;->

 

[loneranger]

I used to develop TriX in my bathroom, it was messy , I'm not going back to that !

 

[mfogiel]

You can easily develop in the kitchen. You load the tank in a black bag wherever you like, then develop in a double kitchen sink. You can use HC 110 and one shot fixer, this way you only stock concentrated chemicals for quick use. To be able to shoot Tri X, particularly in MF, is a privilege we still have while it lasts, don't let it slip from your hands...

 

[leicapixie]

I agree that BW film is easy to process at home.
I further say, if one does, get Ilford HP-5.
It dries flat.
Important for scanning.
Tri-X is not the Tri-X of the past.

 

[ernstk]

The best way to keep Tri-X alive is to keep buying it.

 

[maggieo]

Portra 400 has a nice grain structure.

 

[Huss]

Portra 400 has a nice grain structure.

It does, but none of these films look/feel like Tri-X. Not even close.
To the OP, if you want the Tri-X look, shoot Tri-X. There are plenty of places that process it, you may have to mail it to them. I do that in LA, even though I have local places I much prefer the results of the lab I mail it to.

If it is worth it to you, make the effort.
:angel:

 

[John Bragg]

B&W is so much easier to develop. +1 for HP5+ as it looks like the Tri-X of 15 - 20 years ago. Or just use Tri-X and be happy....